Europe's Stoxx 600 falls as autos, telecoms lead broad sell-off

[BENGALURU] Europe’s Stoxx 600 tumbled on Friday (Sep 18) in broad-based losses led by automobile and telecom shares, while also logging a weekly decline in a week marked by retreating oil prices and interest rate decisions by major central banks.

The pan-European index fell 1.1 per cent to 635.45 points, giving up almost all the gains made in the last two sessions. It was down 0.6 per cent for the week.

Regional bourses also ended the session in the red, with London’s FTSE 100 and Germany’s DAX down 1.5 per cent and 1.6 per cent, respectively.

The automobile and parts sector fell 3.4 per cent, with Volkswagen leading the losses in its biggest one-day drop since September 2025, down 5.6 per cent.

The company slashed its outlook, flagging 10 billion euros (US$11.5 billion) in one-off items related to its stake in luxury sports car maker Porsche, provisions for job cuts and a weak Chinese market.

Porsche shares fell 4.9 per cent.

Telecommunication stocks were down 3.3 per cent, posting their biggest single-day fall since April 2025, with Airtel Africa dropping 11.3 per cent to become the Stoxx’s top decliner after Bloomberg News reported that its unit Airtel Money is considering downsizing its London initial public offering.

Food and beverages lost 1.9 per cent, with Nestle down 2.6 per cent after Russia seized control of the Swiss food giant’s local assets.

Oil prices pared earlier losses on Friday as markets assessed Saudi supply alongside concerns about a widening Middle East conflict. Still, energy shares shed 0.7 per cent and fell 0.5 per cent for the week.

SEE ALSO

US Fed hikes rates amid stubborn inflation; signals further tightening in coming months

Bank of England to hold rates but energy shock stirs talk of a hike

A respite in the sell-off in the bond market, along with receding crude prices, helped risk sentiment this week. The moves came even as the US Federal Reserve increased rates, while the Bank of England left rates unchanged but warned that further tightening may be needed if the war in Iran drags on.

The central banks’ headlines added to the sense that the policymakers were now getting the jump on inflation.

“The focus for next week will be whether this month’s rate hikes represent insurance against an energy-driven inflation shock or the beginning of a lengthy global tightening cycle,” said Daniela Hathorn, a senior market analyst at Capital.com.

“If yields stabilise and oil continues lower, equities could find some breathing room.”

Meanwhile, the European healthcare sector was the best performer this week, followed by insurance, while banks and automobiles were the worst hit.

Also on the radar are developments ahead of next week’s meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

Among other stocks, Orange dipped 5.8 per cent after Morgan Stanley downgraded the French telecoms company to “underweight”.

LPP climbed 8 per cent after Poland’s largest fashion retailer reported a 64 per cent rise in second-quarter net profit. REUTERS